Apparatus to control edges of flatrolled metallic products

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS AS DISCLOSED FOR SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING THE EDGES OF METALLIC, ESPECIALLY PRTICULATE METAL, AS THE MATERIAL ENTERS THE BITE OF A ROLLING MILL. THE APPARATUS CONTAINS TWO WEAR BLOCK MEMBERS ADAPTED TO FIT INTO THE BITE REGION OF THE ROLLING MILL AND TO GUIDE AND SUPPORT THE PARTICULATE METAL BEING ROLLED. THE WEAR MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTED SO THAT THAY ARE SUBSTANTIALLY RESTRAINED FROM MOVEMENT IN ALL DIRECTIONS OTHER THAN PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF ROLLING.

Oct. 12, 1971 APPARATUS TO CONTROL EDGES OF FLAT-ROLLED METALLICPRODUCTS Filed Nov. 5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIiNTUR.

BY (6590/2 j ATT ORNEY 'J. J. FOX 3,611,486

J. J. FOX

APPARATUS TO CONTROL EDGES OF FLAT-ROLLED METALLIC PRODUCTS Filed NOV.5, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet i ATTORNEY United States Patent Otfice 3,611,486Patented Oct. 12, 1971 3,611,486 APPARATUS T CONTROL EDGES 0F FLAT-ROLLED METALLIC PRODUCTS Joseph J. Fox, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignorto General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich. Filed Nov. 5, 1969, Ser.No. 874,261 Int. Cl. 1322f 3/18 US. Cl. 18-9 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Apparatus as disclosed for supporting and controlling theedges of metallic material, especially particulate metal, as thematerial enters the bite of a rolling mill. The apparatus contains twoWear block members adapted to fit into the bite region of the rollingmill and to guide and support the particulate metal being rolled. Thewear members are supported so that they are substantially restrainedfrom movement in all directions other than parallel to the direction ofrolling.

This invention relates to the rolling of metal, and preferably metalparticles, into a flat-rolled product such as strip or sheet stock. Morespecifically, my invention is related to apparatus suitable for use inconjunction with a rolling mill to control the edges of a package ofmetal particles being drawn into and consolidated by the work rolls of arolling mill.

Edge guide devices have previously been employed in connection withrolling a number of different materials, such as rubber, plastics, andpowdered metals. As far as rolling rubber and synthetic plastic resinsis concerned, rolling pressures are relatively small and, therefore, theloads on side members for controlling the edges of the rolled productare not severe. Such members, therefore, are of relatively simpledesign. In the case of rolling powdered metals, moving side or edgeguides have been employed which move through or by the rolls in the samedirection as the passage of the metal powder. Devices of this type areillustrated, for example, in United States Pat. No. 3,242,530. However,processes have recently been developed for hot rolling metal particlesof substantial size, up to three inches or so in greatest dimension, toform sheets that may be up to four feet or more in width. Under thesecircumstances, it is necessary to provide lateral support for the metalparticles as they are drawn into the bite of the rolling mill so that aflat-rolled product having straight and uniform edges is produced andthat a subsequent trimming operation, which is wasteful of material, isnot required. Furthermore, it is desired to adapt the rolling of thesemetal particles to existing rolling mills wherein it would beinconvenient and undesirable to have continually moving edge guides suchas are depicted in the aboveidentified patent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus suitablefor supporting and controlling the edges of a charge of metal as itenters the bite of the work rolls of a rolling mill, which apparatus maybe employed in combination with conventional rolling mill stands bybeing positioned adjacent the bite region of the rolling mill stand.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatussuitable for use in combination with a rolling mill for the productionof flat-rolled products from metal particles. The apparatus is toprovide side support for the mass of metal particles as they are drawnbetween the work rolls of the rolling mill, the apparatus operating inclosely spaced apart relationship to the work rolls and being capable ofmoving slightly in a horizontal plane in response to like movement ofthe axes of the work rolls.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention these andother objects are accomplished by provlding apparatus having at leasttwo wear members adapted to fit into the bite region of the work rollsof a rolling mill stand in close proximity to, but slightly spaced fromthe circumferential surfaces of the rolls. The wear members are spacedfrom each other a distance generally equivalent to the desired width ofa flat-rolled product to be produced. The wear members are carried bysupport means in a manner such that the wear members are prevented frombeing forced apart during the operation of the rolling mill by thetremendous pressure exerted on the metal particles being consolidated.Likewise, the wear members are prevented from moving in a directionparallel to the plane connecting the axes of the work rolls; that is tosay, in a vertical rolling stand the wear members are prevented fromworking up and down. However, the wear members are carried by thesupport means in a manner so that, while the support means itself may berigidly positioned, the wear members may slide back and forth in thedirection of rolling in response to a like displacement or oscillationof the axes of the work rolls. In accordance with my invention thismovement is necessary to permit the wear member to operate in closeproximity to the rolling mill without striking the rolls of the mill.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully understood inview of the detailed description of the invention which follows.

Reference will be made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing my edgeguide device carried in a supporting frame and positioned closelyadjacent to the work rolls of a rolling mill;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of a portion of FIG. 1showing the edge guide wear block and associated members;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of my apparatus and supporting frameviewed from the rolling mill side thereof, the rolling mill beingremoved for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, of my apparatus in positionadjacent to the work rolls of a rolling mill, the upper work roll beingremoved for purposes of illustration; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, showing aportion of a wear block, portions of rolling mill rolls, and anexemplary particulate metal package just entering the bite of the workrolls.

One purpose of my invention is to provide apparatus for lateral supportof a charge of particulate metal as it is passed into the bite of avertical rolling mill stand and compacted into a flat-rolled product.For example, my apparatus is employed in a process wherein metalparticles are disposed on an elongated metallic carrier sheet, the edgesof which are turned up to form a trough; the carrier sheet and metalparticles subsequently heated in a suitable furnace containing asuitable protective atmosphere; and the heated carrier-metal particlepackage then passed between two work rolls for compaction andconsolidation into homogeneous densified flat-rolled products. As shownin FIG. 1, a carrier sheet-metal particle package 10 is being drawn fromleft to right from a preheat furnace (not shown) into the bite ofvertically disposed work rolls 12. The carrier sheet-metal particlepackage 10 is drawn through tunnel 14 containing a protectiveatmosphere, over rollers 16 and across a skid plate 18 into the bite ofthe rolls 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the carrier sheet-metal particle package10 is drawn between two wear block members 20 which give edge support topackage 10 against the large pressures exerted by the work rolls 12 topackage 10. Wear block members 20 are arranged and constructed andsupported by other members of my apparatus to fit close to, but spacedapart from, the circumference of the work rolls 12. In vertical profilethe wear blocks 20 are seen to resemble half of a bow tie. In theoperation f rolls 12 on the package passing therebetween, there arelarge forces tending to force the particles and turned-up edges of thecarrier sheet outwardly against the wear blocks 20. Therefore, it isnecessary to support the wear blocks against the package 10 and tolocate the wear blocks 20 in a proper position adjacent the work rolls.

In general, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in thedrawings, my device comprises two wear blocks 20 which are bolted to twoslide blocks 22, which in turn are slidably supported and carried inrelatively massive slide block carriers 24, which as shown in FIGS. 3and 4 are located on both sides of the particulate metal containingpackage. Slide block carriers 24 are rigidly supported in carriage 26.Carriage 26 is adjustably supported in any suitable frame member 28. Inthe embodiment depicted, supporting frame 28 is arranged and constructedto be attached to the frame of the rolling mill, not shown. It will beappreciated that the specific construction and arrangement of the framefor carrying the carriage 26 is not critical to the design of myapparatus.

Since substantial loads are encountered in rolling relatively largemetal particles (10,000 to 20,000 psi. when rolling steel particles) myapparatus is preferably constructed of suitable steels and may weighseveral thousand pounds. Despite this relatively large weight, it isnecessary that the wear block 20 and adjacent members of my apparatus bepositioned and maintained in closely spaced apart relationship to thework rolls 12 of the rolling mill and that these members be capable ofmoving back and forth slightly in a horizontal plane because the axes ofthe work rolls 12 move slightly when the rolls are in operation.Therefore, provision must be made for adjusting and maintaining theposition of my apparatus as required. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4,the supporting frame 28 has base 30, top 32 and side members 34 and islocated adjacent the work rolls 12 of the rolling mill. Located on thebase member of the frame 28 are rollers 36 for the purpose of supportingthe carriage 26 while it is moved in toward the bite of the rolls 12 andcorrectly positioned. Also located on the base member of the frame arepedestal members 38 which support the weight of the carriage 26 andassociated members in their working position. In setting up my devicethe carriage member 26 is moved in toward the bite of the work rolls 12until the wear blocks 20, slide blocks 22 and slide block carriers 24are respectively spaced apart from work rolls a suitable distance,typically about 0.025 to 0.050 inch. At this point, guide rollers 40,which project from and are supported by the slide blocks 22, engage thecircumference of the work rolls 12 and roll thereon in the operation ofthe mill. When the carriage 26 is thus positioned, it is bolted intoplace in the frame by any suitable means. As shown in the drawings,particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal (in and out) position ofthe carriage 26 is adjusted and maintained by the suitable positioningof set screws 42 and lock bolts 44 extending through ears 46 protrudingfrom the carriage and into the side members 34 of the frame 28.

In general and as depicted, the overall configuration of the carriage 26is like an open-ended rectangular box. It is open-ended to permitpassage of the metal particle-carrier sheet package 10 therethrough. Thewidth and height of the transverse opening must be large enough toaccommodate a desired package. The slide block carriers 24 are rigidlyattached to opposite vertical inner sides of the carriage 26 by meansnot shown. When it is contemplated that carrier sheet-metal particlepackages of different widths will eventually be processed through myapparatus, the carriage 26 is preferably constructed to accommodate thelargest package, spacers and/or adjusters (not shown) are employed toproperly locate the slide block carriers 24 when narrower packages areto be rolled. Preferably, the height of the slide block carriers 24coincides with the height of the transverse opening in the carriage 26so that the carriers 24 are well supported by the carriage 26. The endsof the slide block carriers 24 positioned adjacent the rolling mill aresuitably cut out or relieved to receive the slide blocks 22 and thesupports 52 for the guide rollers 40. A slide block 22 is fitted in eachslide block carrier 24 so that the slide block 22 is immovable in eithera vertical or lateral direction with respect to the direction of rolling(when rolling horizontally). However, the slide blocks 22 are permittedand expected to move horizontally, the direction of rolling, and arespring loaded 48 at the rear edges thereof so that they will be forcedtoward the work rolls 12 despite the tendency of the Work rolls 12 topush them back. The guide rollers are rigidly attached by supports 52tothe slide block 22 but, as indicated, the rollers 40 and slide blocks22 are intended to move in relation to the slide block carrier 24. Wearblock members 20 are rigidly attached to the slide blocks 22.

In the practice of my invention it is generally preferred to use wearblock members 20 which are formed separately from the slide blocks 22,although it will be appreciated thatt he wear block 20 and the slideblock 22 could be one piece. Also, it will be appreciated that the wearblock 20, slide block 22 and slide block carrier 24 can be one piece andslidably supported by the carriage 26. However, the wear blocks 20 aredirectly subjected to the pressure and friction of the moving hotcarrier sheet package 10 as it is drawn into the bite of the workingrollers 12 and, therefore, tends to be worn and scored and may requireperiodic replacement. Wear blocks suitable for use in rolling steelparticles are preferably formed of cast iron. The inner surface of thewear block 20 is preferably convex (but not necessarily smoothly curved)with respect to the carrier sheet package 10 so as to provide additionalrestraint and support as the carrier sheet 10 enters the bite of therolls 12. Otherwise, as previously indicated, the wear block 20, slideblock 22, and slide block carrier 24 in the region of the bite of therolls have vertical profiles like that of a half bow tie. Since theslide block carriers 24 are held stationary during a rolling operationthey are shortened slightly in the vicinity of the work rolls 12 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5) so they will always clear the rolls 12. Because the slideblocks 22 are not intended to be replaced periodically they are alsoshortened slightly with respect to the wear blocks 20 to assure constantclearance of the work rolls 12. The wear block 20 is arranged andconstructed to be rigidly attached to the slide block 22 and movedtherewith in an in-and-out direction with respect to the bite of thework rolls 132.

As previously indicated, the horizontal position of the carriage 26 andslide block carrier 24- are fixed by bolting the carriage 26 to the sidemembers 34 of the frame 28. The vertical position of the carriage isproperly adjusted between the work rolls and secured in such a positionby use of shims on pedestals 38 at the bottom of the carriage and bybolts 50 passing through a horizontal top frame member 32 and engagingthe top of the carriage. In the embodiment of my invention shown, onlyone set of upper and lower guide rollers 40 have been employed on eachslide block 22 to roll against the work rolls 12 of the rolling mill andprevent the ends of the wear blocks 20 or slide blocks 22 fromcontacting these work rolls. It will be appreciated that at least oneadditional set of upper and lower guide rolls could be employed on eachslide block or its equivalent to more precisely determine the workingposition of the wear blocks 20. It will also be appreciated thatrelatively soft metal rubbing blocks could be used in place of guiderollers 40 to engage the work rolls 12 and hold the wear blocks 20spaced apart therefrom.

Thus, in a typical operation of my apparatus a hot package ofparticulate metal suitably disposed in a carrier sheet is drawn throughthe open-ended carriage 26 over the skid plate 18 and between wearblocks 20 into the bite of the work rolls 12. The wear blocks 20 arerigidly supported, ultimately by the carriage 26 and the frame 28, in avertical direction with respect to the work rolls 12 and in a lateraldirection with respect to the direction of travel of the metal packagel10. The wear bloc-k 20 is prevented from being drawn into the bite ofthe rolls 12 in response to the frictional force of the carrier package10 by proper positioning of the guide rolls 40. Heavy springs 48, orequivalent hydraulic or pneumatic means, situated in the slide blockcarrier 24 and exerting a force on the slide block 22 maintain the guideroll 40 and wear block 20 in the proper in position in the operation ofthe rolling mill. At the same time, the spring permits a certain amountof give in response to horizontal oscillation of the work rolls 12.

With respect to auxiliary equipment employed in the rolling operationsand associated with my apparatus, it is desirable to employ a tunnel 14as shown in FIG. 1 to maintain the preheated metal particles in acontrolled atmosphere as the package 10 moves from a preheat furnaceinto the bite of the rolls 12. The end of the tunnel can be fitted in aspecial shroud 54 affixed to the carriage 26 so that the hot carrierpackage 10 is not exposed to air as it proceeds from the furnace intothe first rolling mill stage. It is contemplated that in normaloperations, suf ficient consolidation of the particles will be obtainedduring passage through the first rolling mill so that my apparatus willnot be required with later rolling mill stands.

As described and shown, my apparatus is supported by a relativelystationary frame member immediately adjacent to the rolling mill, and aseparate tunnel is employed. However, it will be appreciated that otherpractical arrangements can be devised to support my edge guide apparatusand the scope of my invention should not be considered limited to aparticular frame and supporting arrangement. For example, an elongated,portable transport car could be employed to connect a preheat furnacewith a particular rolling mill stand. The transport car Would provideboth an enclosure for a controlled atmosphere and support for my edgeguide apparatus.

Although my device has been described in terms of a preferred specificembodiment thereof, it'will be appreciated that other forms couldreadily be adapted by one skilled in the art and, therefore, the scopeof my invention should not be considered limited to the specificembodiments described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to guide andsupport the edges of material being rolled, said apparatus comprising incombination,

two edge guide members having arcuate portions shaped to fit in the biteregion of the work rolls of a said rolling mill but spaced slightlyapart from said work rolls in the operative position of said apparatus,said edge guide members being spaced from each other by a desiredpredetermined distance,

at least two roll members carried on each of said edge guide members andlocated on opposite sides of a said edge guide with respect to the axisof flow of material being rolled, said roll members being located so asto engage and roll against a said work roll in the operative position ofsaid apparatus whereby said edge guides are held spaced apart from saidwork rolls in the operation thereof by said roll members, and

support means carrying and supporting said edge guide members, saidsupport means engaging said edge guide members so that said members maymove in a direction directly toward or away from the bite of said workrolls.

2. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to support andguide the material to be rolled into the bite of the rolling mill, saidapparatus comprising in combination,

two wear block members each having arcuately shaped 5 portions to fitinto the bite of a rolling mill closely adjacent the work rolls thereofin the operative position of said apparatus, said members being spacedapart from each other by a desired predetermined distance,

means carrying and supporting said wear block members and operable tohold said wear blocks in said bite region of a said rolling mill in afixed position except for movement back and forth directly toward andaway from the bite of said work rolls,

means intermediate said support means and each of said wear blockmembers urging said wear lblOCk. members toward the bite of said workrolls in the operative position of said apparatus, and

means on said wear members to engage said work rolls in the operativeposition of said apparatus and hold said wear members spaced apart fromsaid work rolls. 3. Apparatus for guiding and supporting the edges ofmaterial being fed into a rolling mill, said apparatus comprising incombination,

two wear members for supporting the edges of the material being fed pastsaid wear members into the bite of a said rolling mill, said wearmembers being shaped to fit closely into. the bite region of saidrolling mill in the operative position of said apparatus and spaced fromeach other by a predetermined distance, carrier members rigidly attachedto each of said wear members to carry and support said wear members,said carrier members being shaped to closely fit into the bite region ofa said rolling mill,

support means slidably carrying said carrier members and restrainingsaid carrier members from movement in any direction other than back andforth along said axis of a said rolling mill,

roller means attached to said carrier members and adapted to rollagainst the Work rolls of said mill in the operative position of saidapparatus to maintain said wear members and said carrier members spacedapart from said work rolls, and

spring means intermediate said support means and said carrier membersfor urging said carrier members and said wear members toward the bite ofa said rolling mill in the operative position of said apparatus.

4. Apparatus for use in combination with a rolling mill to support andrestrain the edges of material being fed into the bite of the work rollsof said mill, said apparatus comprising in combination,

two wear block members shaped to fit closely into the bite region of thework rolls of a rolling mill in the operative position of said apparatusand spaced from each other by a desired predetermined distance, slidableblock member rigidly attached to each of said wear members for carryingand supporting said wear members, said slidable block members beingshaped to fit closely into the bite region of said work rolls,

a carrier member slidably engaging each of said slidable block members,said carrier members carrying and supporting said slidable blocks sothat said slidable blocks can move back and forth along the axis of flowof the material being rolled,

carriage carrying and supporting said carrier members, said carriermembers being rigidly aflixed to said carriage,

a frame member supporting said carriage, the position of said carriagewith respect to said frame being adjustable so that said wear blocks andslide blocks 8 can be positioned in the bite region of a said rollingReferences Cited mill in the operative position of said apparatus, atleast two roller members attached to each of said UNITED STATES PATENTSslidable block members and positioned thereon so 112771729 9/ 1918Kqarns as to engage and roll on the work rolls of a said 5 2,513,541 7/1950 wlngar et MM rolling mill in the operative position of said appara-2,599,218 6/1952 Austln 18r-2 MM tus and maintain said slidable blocksand said Wear 2,919,466 Roemel' 2,968,832 1/1961 Hale et a1. 18-2 MRblocks in spaced apart position therefrom, and

spring means bearing against a slidable block and its I associated slideblock carrier and positioned there- SPENCER OVERHOLSER Pnmary Exammerbetween. D. M. GURLEY, Assistant Examiner

